Defending champ Potter and medalist Shirley win at US Women's Mid-Am

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – Defending champion Julia Potter and qualifying medalist Margaret Shirley won first-round matches Monday in the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur. 

 

The 26-year-old Potter, from Granger, Indiana, beat Canada's Audrey Akins 2 and 1 at Harbour Trees in the event for players 25 and older. 

 

"I didn't hit a green until six, but Audrey played great," said Potter, a 19-hole winner over Shirley in the final last year. "She made some clutch putts at the beginning." 

 

The 28-year-old Shirley, from Atlanta, beat Rachel Smith of Mansfield, Texas, 2 up. 

 

"I just had a bad stretch," Shirley said. "That's going to happen, especially on a golf course like this. You just have to make sure you don't get too down on yourself." 

 

Connie Isler of Arlington, Virginia, topped second-seeded Dawn Woodard of Greer, South Carolina 2 up. 

 

"I just tried to stay in the moment," Isler said. "Dawn hits it super far, so I just tried to play my own game. I always tried to play like I was down, even though I was never down."